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The Role of Digital Communities in Organizing Gig Workers

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  • Michael David Maffie

Abstract

Using survey data from 450 ridehail drivers, this article examines how social networking sites (SNS) influence workers’ views on union instrumentality and unionization. This article finds that more frequent interaction with other workers in online communities is associated with improved views of union instrumentality and interest in joining a ridehail drivers' association. These findings link together the fields of information sciences and industrial relations and suggest a new institutional actor in modern industrial systems, the online worker network.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael David Maffie, 2020. "The Role of Digital Communities in Organizing Gig Workers," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(1), pages 123-149, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indres:v:59:y:2020:i:1:p:123-149
    DOI: 10.1111/irel.12251
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Michael David Maffie, 2022. "The global ‘hot shop’: COVID‐19 as a union organising catalyst," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(3), pages 207-219, May.
    2. Michael David Maffie, 2024. "Visible hands: How gig companies shape workers' exposure to market risk," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(1), pages 59-79, January.
    3. Charles Umney & Mark Stuart & Ioulia Bessa & Simon Joyce & Denis Neumann & Vera Trappmann, 2024. "Platform Labour Unrest in a Global Perspective: How, Where and Why Do Platform Workers Protest?," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(1), pages 3-26, February.
    4. Wood, Alex & Lehdonvirta, Vili, 2021. "Antagonism beyond employment: how the ‘subordinated agency’ of labour platforms generates conflict in the remote gig economy," SocArXiv y943w, Center for Open Science.
    5. Michael David Maffie, 2024. "Adversaries or Cross-Organization Co-workers? Exploring the Relationship between Gig Workers and Conventional Employees," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 77(1), pages 3-31, January.
    6. Lijun Tang, 2024. "Moral mobilization in the digital space: Seafarers exercising agency during the pandemic," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 56(4), pages 1045-1060, June.
    7. Caleb Goods & Alex Veen & Tom Barratt & Brett Smith, 2024. "Power resources for disempowered workers? Re‐conceptualizing the power and potential of consumers in app‐based food delivery," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(2), pages 107-131, April.
    8. Heiland, Heiner, 2020. "Workers' Voice in platform labour: An Overview," WSI Studies 21, The Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI), Hans Böckler Foundation.

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